Residents of La Plata, Argentina are facing a potential 40 percent increase in their water bills, sparking outrage amid existing complaints about inconsistent service and water quality. The debate unfolded this Friday at a hearing in the Ministry of Infrastructure, with a final resolution still pending.
The proposed rate hike, sought by ABSA, the Buenos Aires province water company, aims for a “more progressive” system where properties with higher tax valuations pay more. ABSA is requesting approval for a 40 percent increase in the cost per cubic meter, bringing the residential rate to $275.46, with adjustments occurring every two months.
“The adjustments will begin to be bimonthly due to the implementation of the polynomial formula already in force for updating the value of the cubic meter,” company spokespersons explained, adding that the formula is “based on the Wage Index (IS) and the Internal Wholesale Price Index (IPIM) of ‘Electric Energy’ and ‘Substances and Chemical Products.'” They clarified that the changes wouldn’t necessarily represent a real tariff increase,but rather an adjustment to account for rising input costs.
The new rates, if approved, won’t appear on bills until April. February and March invoices have already been issued, and the changes will take effect the first day of the month following the official publication of the resolution in the Province’s Official Gazette.
ABSA representatives led the hearing, emphasizing recent infrastructure projects and justifying the need for the adjustment. The company, which serves 2.6 million users across 95 locations in Buenos Aires province, argued for updating the per-cubic-meter billing rate from the current $196.76 to $275.46 for its 751,234 residential customers.
Following ABSA’s presentation, Gastón Arias of the Buenos Aires Ombudsman’s Office and Luciana Bártoli, Citizen Ombudsman of La Plata, presented complaints gathered from residents.
The tension escalated when Daniel Medina, a resident of Punta Alta, pleaded with the company not to raise rates for residents who currently lack consistent water access, echoing a point made earlier by ombudsman Bártoli.
Hugo Marcelo Garófalo, representing a local environmental NGO, requested a postponement of the hearing “so that more citizens can participate in a city of more than 700 thousand inhabitants.” He added, “We propose that the hearing be suspended and that they stop polluting
Water Quality Concerns Mount
Simultaneously occurring, residents of Punta Lara have recently experienced water shortages, with some reporting “brown” water appearing after the completion of an aqueduct construction project in Ensenada.The aqueduct, connecting the “Donato gerardi” Water Purification Plant with the Punta Lara cistern, required a 30-hour shutdown last weekend on Almirante Brown Avenue.
Manny residents of Villa Del Plata and Punta lara were without service until recently, and some who have regained access are reporting discolored water. Marcelo,a resident of Villa Del Plata,said that “there were actually families who went two weeks without water. Before the cut to do the work on the aqueduct,many users were without service or with a minimum trickle. after the work,we had dry taps and when it came,it arrived fully brown. Although they say that you have to let it run for a while, we have had the taps open for hours and it continues with the same cloudy tone.”
Recent complaints about lack of water or low pressure have also been reported in City Bell,Tolosa,Ringuelet,the Castelli Park area (25 and 66),and Plaza Sarmiento (19 and 66).
Cut for works in Villa Elisa
ABSA also reported this Friday that repairs to a water tank pipe in Villa Elisa are underway, resulting in the shutdown of six water boreholes and affecting the locality with low pressure or a complete lack of water. The company urged residents to conserve water for hydration and personal hygiene until service is restored.
